IRISH AMERICAN NEWS, September 2005
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
38 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS September 2005 The Tenor, John McDermott - A Natural Giving Man household as there was no TV to I might add I believe that one view. Hallelujah. of the problems that exists in our By Elizabeth Kelly The fi nal embrace that John charitable work, to his family, and John continually memorial- society today is that many have Within the fi rst 15 minutes of gives those traditional Irish melo- simply by serving as a reliable izes both his parents, Hope and bought the notion that if music our conversation it was quite ap- dies, as they make their way from friend in need. Peter McDermott, who passed is aired continually on the radio parent to me why Irishman John the depths of his heart to the ears John continually manages away in recent years, by retain- then it is good music. I do not McDermott transitioned over to a of his eager audience, is refl ective to share his fi nancial successes ing his father’s hat and cane and believe this is always the case career of public singing. He states of a man who sings with an open along the way with those in need. his mother’s scarf, close by his and sadly much great talent has quite plainly that he feels called natural spirit. He is the common His charitable foundations mainly side, during his onstage perfor- gone unnoticed as a result of to sing, that he genuinely enjoys every day man, with no airs or focus on the support of homeless mances. this attitude. Frankly, I believe “singing a story” to an audience in attitudes, here in our present veterans here in the U.S. and *** the quality of the Irish Tenors’ a manner which he learned from day world; yet at the same time Canada. He has specific inter- John really is an example and music to be of a high value, yet his father. Yet, I also believe he he is something plucked out of est in this category of charitable reminder to all of mankind, of we aren’t commonly on the radio. sings because it is one of the most Ireland’s past. Here today perhaps work as his father, Peter, was a how much we can bring to the We are uncommon, unusual, not intimate ways he is able to con- to show and remind us of all the WWII veteran and his popular or mainstream nect with various communities beauties that lie within the Irish mother, Hope had a music. Yet, when we of people and ultimately with his culture, tradition and heart. brother whose military engage in a live per- own humanity. Singing is John’s gift, his call- experience included formance, audiences Singing is his way of giving ing. And through responding to time as a prisoner of accept our music with back to the people, teaching a his calling he has found so many war. Additionally, Hope open hearts. Our mu- little Irish history and tradition ways to give. He gives in plenti- set an example for the sic is real, blue collar. along the way, and reviving the ful amounts: through his music, McDermott clan by de- The story is real and soul within. as a creator of and participant in voting 27 of her years it has so much heart. in a community service So, in spite of cur- capacity, serving meals rent circumstances in at a homeless shelter. the music-marketing John also inherited his world we are success- parents’ concern that ful after all. We are veterans, those that put quite fortunate. In their lives at risk for the creation of this their country, get far album and thankfully too little appreciation in the creation of fu- and care. He hopes his ture albums there will foundations will help always be so much to alleviate this type of choose from, as we neglect. pull from the archives R e c e n t l y J o h n to bring the music reached out to help back to life, during a friend set-up a Ca- this era of classic Irish nadian-based division melody revival. of his foundation, the What is the origin DORE Foundation. of the famous Danny DORE has enjoyed Boy?Boy? tremendous success The lyrics we know here in the U.S. aiding were written by Fred- individuals diagnosed eric E. Weatherly, an with learning disor- English lawyer as well ders, such as ADD and as a songwriter. Ap- ADHD. The foundation parently, Weatherly endorses a therapy and met up with and had cure derived through an extensive conversa- specifi c basic physical exercises, table, whether we be a simple tion with a Scots Historian, one not through the use of drugs. shepherd of the fi elds, a parent, who particularly specialized in More information can be found an offi ce or factory laborer, a coal the history of the 1700’s. This at the DORE Foundation web site, miner, a forest ranger or alas, a gentleman’s perspective, of that www.dorecenters.com. musical entertainer. particular era in Scotland, aided John indicates that he inherited *** Frederic in the creation of the his father’s voice and his mother’s So, John what’s the meaning words for Danny Boy. looks. He derived his joy of sing- behind the title of Sacred, the Danny Boy is a Scottish la- ing from both of his parents, as new CD by The Irish Tenors, ment, specifi cally the lament of his father introduced he and his 11 John McDermott, Anthony Ke- a mother for her son. It relates siblings to music and the history arns and Finbar Wright? the ritual of the eldest son of a of music and both parents encour- Sacred is meant to be a spiritual Scottish household, being called aged the ritual of conversation fol- album, not a religious album. It is by the pipes to prepare for battle lowed by group singing, nightly, not an album of hymns, but one and come defend the nation, dur- in the family living room. Even- of refl ection. It is diverse. Each ing times of warfare. The pipes tually the entire neighborhood of us has approached the creation used here were the bagpipes, not joined in these humble festivi- of this album in his own personal uilleann pipes. ties. The gift of voice, inclusive way, inputted his own personal In forming the words to Danny of both storytelling and singing, perspective. We all believe that Boy, Weatherly contemplated was the prime source of family there is nothing to take from our what a mother might say to her entertainment in the McDermott album but the positive. son upon hearing the pipes call. September 2005 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 39 In just a few simple phrases, 50th Golden Anniversary. The 12 land to Toronto, Ontario. Both of no children this type of lifestyle is into Canada. I’m helping support Danny Boy, recreates such a recorded songs, on this custom- my parents were in their 50’s at doable for Agnieska and I. my friend, Winford Dore in this moment. made album of traditional Irish the time of this move to Canada Solo Career Plans? expansion effort. The historic irony of this par- folk music, all in some way sym- and well settled in their lives. But EMI Records will be releasing What do you believe to be the ticular song is that it was written bolize we 12 McDermott children. due to the economic situation in a “Best of John McDermott” CD admirable traits of the Irish? by an Englishman, one who most Upon hearing the album, “some- Ireland and Scotland they felt that shortly. Our understanding of human likely never stepped a foot in one” sent it to EMI records. EMI such a move would be best for the I recently completed a new nature and our complete open- Ireland. The setting is Scotland. placed the album on a shelf for family, so we moved. Christmas album, called Stories armed approach with welcom- One of the reasons we easily know about a year then chose to release We are a family of twelve of Love, scheduled for release ing and expressing hospitality this is that “the glen” is a prop of it on their classic label, Angel. children. I am number nine in in 2006. towards our fellow man. Scotland not Ireland. Finally, the Due in part to the great timing the line-up. I recently finished “Just Plain Dad always said, “Don’t ever Irish are the final adopters of the of EMI’s release, as this genre of Two of my siblings have passed Folk” with the legendary artist judge anyone; always give reason- melody. music was on the upswing then, away as well as both of my par- and friend, Michael P. Smith. able doubt. If you see a hurdle At about the turn of the last the album, called Danny Boy, ents. Finally, DORE Center is a in front of someone, rather than century, many Irish melodies, in- enjoyed amazing great success. *** non-drug treatment and therapy watch them run into it, move it out cluding Danny Boy, were brought What a surprise this was for me With regards to my perspective center for individuals with learn- of their way.” into America and made popular at age 38 in the year 1992. on sibling relationships, I truly ing disorders, including ADD and For more information on John here. John McCormick helped Initially EMI asked me to tour don’t understand scenarios where dyslexia.